Book Review: Atheism Kills: The Dangers of a World Without God – and Cause for Hope by Barak Lurie

Atheism Kills: The Dangers of a World Without God – and Cause for Hope by Barak Lurie

I really wish Atheism Kills: The Dangers of a World Without God – and Cause for Hope by Barak Lurie had been written back when I was in college.

If I had read this book back when I was in college, I would have had the information needed to stand my ground against college professors who took every opportunity to speak about what they called, “The Christian Myth”.

This book is incredibly well-researched and very well-written. The author is a former atheist who found enough credible evidence in his life to prove to his skeptical mind that God is real.

In the book, he talks about all the evil that has been committed in the world due to the lack of faith in God, or in any religion for that matter. He gives his readers information about the rise and fall of different civilizations and what caused the fall.

However, this book is very much like Fox News. It attempts to be fair and balanced. The facts are presented from both perspectives and both sides. The author does lean away from atheism, which is to be expected. He presents the facts that an atheist would use to present his case for atheism.

We give Atheism Kills all five stars. We think that all Judeo Christian churches should have a small group scripture study utilizing this book.

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.


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Guest Post: 5 Options for People With Mental Illness Overcoming Substance Addiction

   

5 Options for People With Mental Illness Overcoming Substance Addiction

Overcoming addiction can be a difficult challenge, especially when coupled with mental illness. Mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or depression are associated with an increased risk of addiction and a large portion of individuals with mood disorders might already have problems with substance use.

There are many types of addiction treatment out there that can be tailored to specific life situations and circumstances. Here are the best treatment programs for people working to overcome addiction and what to consider if one has a co-occurring mental health disorder.

1. Inpatient rehab

Research has shown that patients who receive a clear diagnosis of their mental illness while in rehabilitation are able to be treated more effectively. Inpatient programs offer a good option because they often have extensive resources available that help to create a structured and supportive program that makes addiction recovery a clearer path.

Inpatient rehab can be a little daunting, so if you have a loved one struggling with addiction, help them recognize the benefits of doing inpatient rehab and how it will improve their treatment.

2. Holistic programs

Holistic addiction recovery programs work to integrate whole body or whole person approaches to addiction treatment. Some of them will include unconventional supplementary treatment options including yoga or art therapy. According to the Huffington Post, many holistic addiction recovery treatment techniques overlap with tradition approaches, while others work to integrate techniques from Eastern and Western medicine or philosophy.

3. Gender-specific programs

Studies have shown that the financial opportunities or general life responsibilities that differ between genders can contribute to different addiction-related behaviors and recovery outcomes. Programs that acknowledge and work with a particular individual’s approach to gender differences offer a promising approach. They can address some of the fundamental issues of identity and personhood that might contribute to addiction.

Gender-specific programs can be effective for some people. Some people feel the most comfortable being with others of the same sex and that comfort alone can help them progress in their treatment.

4. Programs for professionals and executives

Many business professionals and entrepreneurs seem to have a propensity for addiction. Finding a program that can help you work through your illness while continuing to make career progress might be something that is extremely important to you.

It’s also important to understand laws that protect you if you enter an addiction recovery program. For instance, the Family and Medical Leave Act protects individuals who are entering addiction recovery programs from losing their jobs. This can help with recovery, as individuals who have some structure in their life are able to recover more effectively.

5. Religious programs

According to the Washington Times, studies have shown that religious belief and participation are associated with a reduced rate of drug abuse and dependence. Most 12-step programs have some aspect of spiritual recovery as part of their program because it has a time-tested effectiveness. Getting at the spiritual root of addiction allows a person going through recovery to find solutions that fundamentally change their worldview and the way that they construct meaning.

Physicians can develop more detailed treatment strategies that are capable of disentangling the comorbidity of mental health problems and addiction. They can do this by examining how symptoms of mental illness or addiction present themselves or carefully consider how symptoms presented themselves in the course of drug use.

There are many different treatment options for overcoming substance abuse, and there’s no one right way to help one recover. If you or a loved one are looking into treatment, be patient as you figure out which treatment is right for you. It can take time, but it doesn’t mean you are a failure if a treatment didn’t work out for you. Just keep looking.

 Photo credit: Unsplash




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Friendly Fill-Ins

This is a fun meme co-hosted by 15 and Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs. Be sure to visit and join in the fun!

Here are the fill-ins:

1. I deserve a gold star for _________________ today.

2. Right now, I am loving _____________.

3. The best advice I’ve ever been given is _________.

4. If I had to choose a new first name, it would be _________.

Here are my responses:

I don’t know what I deserve a gold star for today. Maybe for not running away? haha

Right now, I am loving my Jesus and my family and thoughts of pottery making.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is a really more a bit of encouragement than advice. It came from my maternal grandma while I was expecting our first child. She said having a baby wasn’t a day at the beach, but it wasn’t anything to get all worked up over either. I was able to hold onto that thought as I birthed that 8 pound 8 ounce boy into this world. After hearing her birth experience with my mother, though, I don’t know how Grandma held onto that thought! Trust me, you don’t even want to imagine what happened.

If I had to choose a new first name, it would be...well, it wouldn’t exactly be new, but it would be exactly what my daddy wanted me to be named: Suzie Annie. My mama smooshed it together to make it Suzanne. Annie was my daddy’s great-grandma, who played a big part in raising him, and Suzie was her sister. For years, I was glad that my mama intervened, but now, I rather like the name as my daddy wanted it. If I ever do change my name, that is what I will change it to, in honor and memory of my daddy and his foremothers.

Our daughter Maggie has a new blog for her furbaby Martha. You can find it at: Martha’s Daily Mews.

Have a blessed weekend, y’all!

Image Source: McClendon Family Archives





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Book Review: Isosceles' Day by Kevin J. Meehan

Isosceles' Day by Kevin J. Meehan

Isosceles’ Day by Kevin J. Meehan is a cute book about a formerly abused dog and the animal friends that he meets at his new home.

This book is written in rhyme and was very hard for me to read without thinking of Dr. Seuss, who I enjoy very much. For most of the rhyming pages, the flow was very smooth. One or two didn’t quite work, but the images more than make up for that. The images are great! I love the lizard with the peas especially.

Meehan did an excellent job with the rhyming and the illustrations. I think any young child (and grown-up, too!) will enjoy reading about Isosceles’ Day.



We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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Press Release: America’s Run for the Fallen Has Nearly Completed its Coast-to-Coast Run to Arlington

America’s Run for the Fallen Has Nearly Completed its Coast-to-Coast Run to Arlington

Runners Crossing North Carolina and Virginia on Way to Arlington

July 23, 2018

On July 23, runners honoring fallen American service members crossed the South Carolina-North Carolina border, marking the beginning of the last two states on their cross-country run to Arlington National Cemetery. America’s Run for the Fallen is organized by Honor and Remember, a veteran and Gold Star Family organization that seeks to individually recognize nearly 20,000 Fallen Service Members since the USS Cole (October 2000). Each mile along the 6,000-mile route from Fort Irwin, California to Arlington National Cemetery, runners pause for a short ceremony to remember by calling each name out loud of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast guard and marines killed on a different day since the War on Terror began.

This year, “America’s Run for the Fallen” marks the ten-year-anniversary of the first Run for the Fallen. Never has there been a Fallen Military Tribute on this scale or magnitude. The event has grown both in the number of participants and, sadly, the number of service members honored. By the time the race finishes in August, Gold Star families, veterans, and other supporters from the community will have run 6,000 miles through 19 states on their journey from Fort Irwin, California to Arlington National Cemetery.

The 2018 “America’s Run for the Fallen” began on April 7th in Fort Irwin and has since covered over 4,800 miles. Runners will take nine days to cross North Carolina, entering the state on July 23 near the coast. They will be in North Carolina from July 23 through July 31, passing through Wilmington, Fayetteville, and Jacksonville with a day of rest near Washington, NC. You can view their full schedule here.

On August 1, runners will cross the North Carolina-Virginia border near Norfolk, VA, entering the final stretch of their 6,000-mile run. They will spend five days crossing Virginia on their way north through Norfolk and Newport News before arriving in Arlington on August 5. You can view the full route through Virginia here or the last day of their run here.  

*** Arlington Closing Ceremony Day ***

The public is invited to attend the August 5th, Arlington, VA America's Run for the Fallen Final Day

• 6.1k HERO RUN at Fort Myer in the morning
• 11AM - Brunch Special in Honor of America's Run for the Fallen, on own at: The Board Room in Arlington
• 1:15 PM Old Post Chapel greet the Core Group, walk the final mile together to Section 60.
• 2 PM Closing Ceremonies – Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60.
• 4 PM After-Event Social Gathering at The Board Room in Arlington

For more details and to register for the commemorative 6.1K HERO Run, visit here.

You can read about the history of “America’s Run for the Fallen” here or watch the PSA here.

You can watch the run 7AM – 5PM (time zone of current state) LIVE.

Loved one’s can find the location of their Heroes by visiting Find A Hero, or can add a Hero if their name does not appear at Add Your Hero.

You can get a birds-eye view of “America’s Run for the Fallen,” as well as the Hero Mile Marker Ceremony (occurs every mile, 50 times per day) here.

Honor and Remember is a nationally recognized non-profit organization which aims to “honor and remember every American fallen service member and recognize the enduring sacrifice of every family.” You can find out more here. 

 

Image Source: Pixabay Arlington National Cemetery Image 1, Image 2

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Book Review: Don't Kill This Child by Andrew Robert

Don't Kill This Child by Andrew Robert

We always hate to lower the rating of a Christian book. In this case, we feel we have to lower it because of some problems we found. We feel that God does not need our help. By this we mean that what He inspired the Biblical writers to write is exactly what He meant.

In the book Don't Kill This Child by Andrew Robert, the author feels the need to report something as scriptural that is not. On page 29, the author reports that God said to Saul “The real name I have for you is not what you bear, because in my divine record your name is Paul.” This never happened. Acts 13:9 is the closest we come to this. The first part of this verse reads, “Then Saul, who was also called Paul” in the NIV. This is kind of like saying “Robert, who is also called Bob…”

If we find a part of the book that reports things as being scriptural that clearly are not, how can we trust anything further stated by the author?

The author attempts to make a point via the illustration that God’s plan for us is like an unborn child growing inside of us. This analogy gets kind of confusing.

Even though this text is hard to wrap one’s head around, Robert does make some good points. It is a worthwhile book, although somewhat confusing.

We give Don't Kill This Child three stars. We think if the author hadn’t chased so many rabbits that this book would have been a bit easier to follow. The author spent a little too much time discussing his previous book to allow this one time to grow on its own.

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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Instagram Today

Little Tiglet, the Foundling. Photo Taken 21 July 2018. This little one also has two siblings. I think this one is a little girl. The others don’t quite trust me yet, but they are getting there.😊#kittystagram #kittiesofinstagram #kitties

via Instagram

Friendly Fill-Ins

This is a fun meme co-hosted by 15 and Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs. Be sure to visit and join in the fun!


Here are the fill-ins:

1. I tried __________________ and I liked it.

2. Am I the only one who ___________________?

3. _________ is my hero/heroine.

4. If I could eat only one food for the rest of my life, it would be ______.

Here are my responses:

I tried shrimp and I liked loved it.

Am I the only one who is not addicted to television? Just about every place in town has at least one screen and many have way more than that, all on different channels. Even the local mental health center refuses to turn them off. It is ridiculous.

Jesus is my hero. He gave everything for me, even His life, so that I could live. He is sinless, spotless, perfect and always ready to rescue me.

If I could eat only one food for the rest of my life, it would be SHRIMP!



Our daughter Maggie has a new blog for her furbaby Martha. You can find it at: Martha’s Daily Mews

Have a blessed weekend, y’all!

Image Source: Pixabay



Notice: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
  
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Press Release: Save the Persecuted Christians Coalition Disheartened at Continued Imprisonment of Pastor Andrew Brunson

 

Save the Persecuted Christians Coalition Disheartened at Continued Imprisonment of Pastor Andrew Brunson

Brunson Has Been Imprisoned Since October 2016; Trial Continues

WASHINGTON—Along with Christians and other faith-based groups, the Save the Persecuted Christians (STPC) Coalition is expressing dismay today at the continued imprisonment of North Carolina pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been detained since the fall of 2016 on accusations of spying or aiding terror groups.

At his hearing in Turkey today, a court ruled that Brunson will be detained at least until his next hearing Oct. 12. Many have been working tow ard Brunson’s release, such as individual believers, groups like STPC Coalition, the Trump administration and the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). More than 584,000 signed an ACLJ petition on Brunson’s behalf.

“With the news of his continued imprisonment breaking today, Save The Persecuted Christians calls on President Trump, the administration and our legislators to step it up and do everything in their power to bring home American pastor Andrew Brunson jailed in Turkey as a political pawn on false charges of conspiracy,” said Dede Laugesen, member of the STPC Coalition.

Earlier this month, a Turkish newspaper reported that Brunson may be released at today’s hearing because of the national and international attention Brunson’s case had received, according to CBN News. But Brunson’s trial now continues, HotAir.com reported, urging the White House to mobilize further for his release. Brunson was arrested by the Turkish government in October 2017 and faced up to 35 years in jail on charges of espionage and terrorism.

The Washington Post also reported today: “Brunson’s supporters and independent analysts have called the accusations baseless and say he is being used as a bargaining chip by Turkey to win concessions from the United States.”

The STPC Coalition, which advocates on behalf of 215 million Christians facing heavy persecution worldwide, was also part of a protest organized last month in Washington, D.C. The Coalition continues to work diligently to disseminate actionable information about ways in which the American people can help those like Pastor Brunson who are being persecuted for their faith. Americans can lend support by encouraging their pastors and faith leaders to visit www.SaveThePersecutedChristians.org and order a free banner to display in front of their houses of worship.

These simple banners feature the Arabic “nun” character, which has become an international symbol for the oppression of Christians ever since the Islamic State used this first letter of the Arabic word for “Nazarene” to designate homes of followers of Christ targeted for persecution.

Raising awareness is an important first step, especially as Christian persecution occurs so routinely it rarely makes headlines. For example, according to Open Doors, 255 Christians are killed worldwide every month. 104 Christians are abducted. 180 Christian women are raped, sexually assaulted or forced into marriage. 160 Christians are detained or imprisoned without trial. And 66 churches are attacked. Every month.

The STPC Coalition is a building movement, similar to one in the 1970s that helped free another population suffering from heavy persecution—Soviet Jews—so as to impel policy changes that will hold the persecutors accountable and increase the costs for their crimes against humanity. Building such a movement is necessary to provide American policymakers the leverage needed to influence change worldwide and to alleviate the suffering of those—like Pastor Brunson—who are being persecuted merely because of their faith in Jesus Christ.



Image Source: Pixabay


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Book Review: Welcome to the Kingdom: How to Live a 21st Century Kingdom Life by Dana Carson

Welcome to the Kingdom: How to Live a 21st Century Kingdom Life by Dana Carson

Welcome to the Kingdom: How to Live a 21st Century Kingdom Life by Dana Carson is not a book for new Christians.

This is a very academic and, some would say, redundant book. The author goes into great detail about what words were used in the original text, their root words, their translations, and the significance of all of this.

The book is very detailed and might be considered to be a very dry read. There were points while reading this book that I felt the author had succeeded in beating a dead horse for quite some time.

However, for those Christians who are really seeking to sink their teeth into a Bible discussion, this is the book. It would make a great text for a somewhat advanced small group discussion.

We give Welcome to the Kingdom all five stars. We feel that if one can stay on track and follow the point Dr. Carson is attempting to make, they will benefit greatly from the experience.

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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Book Review: Beauty Redefined: How to Feel Authentically Beautiful in Today’s World by Seline Shenoy

Beauty Redefined: How to Feel Authentically Beautiful in Today’s World by Seline Shenoy


Beauty Redefined: How to Feel Authentically Beautiful in Today’s World by Seline Shenoy is a fairly short book at only 144 pages. At first, I wasn’t so sure that I was going to be able to give it a good review. Ms. Shenoy seemed to be putting a woman’s view of herself fully in her lap and not making those feeding her insecurities responsible for their actions.

As I read further, my thoughts changed. I understood that she was looking to help society overall, not just the women themselves, change its view and how a woman’s beauty is defined.

We are brought up being told that it is what is on the inside that matters. However, what is drilled into us out in the “real” world is completely the opposite. The world tells us we can’t be both old AND beautiful. We have to be young, skinny, and perky to be worth love and admiration.

Ms. Shenoy seeks to help women find that inner beauty that we were raised hearing about. This book includes an Assessment for Negative Self-Image, as well as a quiz titled “Define Your Beauty Archetype Quiz”. There are explanations of each archetype after the quiz.

There is also an awesome section called “The 10 Characteristics That Define a True Beauty”. I printed out the ten characteristics and taped them above my computer as a daily reminder that beauty isn’t about looks; it's not that shallow. True beauty is really about what is on the inside. Even if this book were no good otherwise, it would earn the five stars based on this section alone.

I think it is a book that every woman needs to read and take to heart.

We were sent a complimentary copy of Beauty Redefined. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
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Friendly Fill-Ins

This is a fun meme co-hosted by 15 and Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs. Be sure to visit and join in the fun!


Here are the fill-ins:

1. As a child, I feared ______________.
2. Friday the 13th _____________________.
3. I think _________ is my best quality.
4. You can’t go wrong with _________.

Here are my responses:

As a child, I feared that I would wake up to find that one or both of my parents had died during a domestic dispute. I was also terrified of thunder.

Friday the 13th is a fun day because of all the people that are superstitious about it.

I think I don’t know what is my best quality.

You can’t go wrong with shrimp and cheesecake. AND, fluffy kitty cats. I just wouldn’t recommend handling them both at the same time. :)

Our daughter Maggie has a new blog for her furbaby Martha. You can find it at: Martha’s Daily Mews.

 

Have a blessed weekend, y’all!

Image Source: Pixabay


Notice: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
Please subscribe to David's YouTube Channel. Thanks!

Book Review: It’s OK That You’re Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn’t Understand by Megan Devine

It’s OK That You’re Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn’t Understand by Megan Devine

Wow! It’s OK That You’re Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn’t Understand by Megan Devine is an amazing book! It is one of the best books that I (Suzanne) have read on the topic of grief. It deals primarily with sudden, unexpected loss, but I believe it applies across the board. Losing a loved one is heart-wrenching, whether you know it is coming or not. But, when it happens unexpectedly, it puts it right in your face just how little control we have and how unpredictable life can be.

Reading this book was like meeting a new friend, one who understands how you feel because she has been there. She hasn’t been exactly where I’ve been, but she has had the rug pulled out from under her, too, and knows there’s no putting things back as they had been before.

Ms. Devine has helped me to not feel so alone in my unresolved grief. She knows it takes more than two weeks to grieve the loss of a loved one. Two weeks, two years, a lifetime, we don’t ever get over it. The loss becomes a part of who we are.

She has also taught me that how I have handled the grief of others, though my intentions were to try to comfort, did nothing but potentially cause more pain to the one suffering. I had no idea that when I shared my sorrow, in an effort to say “I understand,” it set up a grief competition of sorts and feelings of “This is about ME, not you. Why isn’t my grief important?”, and many other hurt feelings in the grieving person. I am working on changing the way that I deal with the grief of friends and acquaintances, in an effort to not cause further pain. I didn’t realize the effect my words were potentially having because I never took it as belittling my grief when others shared theirs.

This book is emotional, well-written, and the education in grief that we all need, most especially those in the mental health field.

If you have lost someone, if you have been expected to process it on their timeline instead of your own, you need this book, if for no other reason than to find someone else who truly understands your pain.

We give It’s OK That You’re Not OK five stars and then some. It is a great book and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to read it!

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.


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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
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Book Review: Journey into Health: Heal Yourself with Meditation and the Aid of Your Spirit Guides by Katrina Blecher

Journey into Health: Heal Yourself with Meditation and the Aid of Your Spirit Guides by Katrina Blecher

Whenever we are asked to review a book, we try to read it with an open mind. Some books are just a little out of our area.

We don’t normally deal with spirit guides or similar. Journey into Health: Heal Yourself with Meditation and the Aid of Your Spirit Guides by Katrina Blecher does speak of the author consulting her spirit guides to learn more about her.

That being said, we read this book based on what it is meant to be and where it is coming from. This is what we did, or at least attempted to do.

Blecher spent much of her time telling her readers what she learned from her spirit guides and a little about them. This was good and kind of interesting. What she did not do was really tell her readers how they could find theirs, although she did touch on this a little.

If this book is meant as a how-to guide, we really missed finding the how-to part. There were some interesting tales regarding what the author did and what she found out by doing it.

Overall, we give Journey into Health three stars. It is entertaining and might be helpful for some. We just couldn’t see how we could make it apply very well in our lives.


We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
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Book Review: Holding the Net: Caring for My Mother on the Tightrope of Aging by Melanie P. Merriman

Holding the Net: Caring for My Mother on the Tightrope of Aging by Melanie P. Merriman

By now we have read all sorts of books about aging in place, end of life care, and so forth. Holding the Net: Caring for My Mother on the Tightrope of Aging by Melanie P. Merriman actually provides a backspin on all of those.

I, David, have been in two nursing homes since 2012. Suzanne and I realize that no matter how hard these people try, a nursing home is as close to prison as most of us will ever get. One day I said to our friend Jerry that I had been in a nursing home, had never been to prison, but imagined that the nursing home was as close to prison as most of us will ever get. Jerry said he had been in both and the nursing home is worse.

This book is an enthralling story of one family's struggle with their mother’s end of life and how they dealt with it. But there is a backspin. The backspin is that the author had been a hospice professional for years and knew most of the ins and outs of how the system works, or doesn’t.

This family wasn’t hurting financially, but still had to deal with at least some of the heartache many families have to deal with when putting their loved ones in rehab. Merriman was able to see first-hand how Medicaid patients are treated far differently than others, even though the nursing facility does its best to provide top quality services for all.

We feel that all rooms in all medical facilities should be private, not semi-private. How good are our privacy walls when we share a room with another person and their visitors?

This is a book you will want to read without stopping. You won’t want to put it down. The author shows us how scared her mother is in all of this. The author was scared and lost; her sister was, too. How could they help their mother?

We give Holding the Net all five stars. It is very well-written and very informative. It is written in a very readable style. If you or someone you love will be facing end of life issues any time soon, you will want to read this book.

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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Friendly Fill-Ins

This is a fun meme co-hosted by 15 and Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs. Be sure to visit and join in the fun!

Here are the fill-ins:

1. When it is hot, I _____________________.
2. I am looking forward to _________ this month.
3. The theme song of my life would be _________.
4. There is no such thing as _________.

Here are my responses:

When it is hot, I feel like I am melting. But, thanks to menopause, I also have really cold cold flashes. So, I get to be cool for a few minutes each day.

I am looking forward to something really big this month. I have waited for years for this. Drum roll, please!

My little sister, the youngest of my parents’ children, will turn 50! Being the good big sister that I am, I am going to make sure she doesn’t forget this one. Haha

The theme song of my life...Hmm, I am going to have to ponder this one a bit. One thing’s for sure, it wouldn’t be My Way. This version of Elvis singing brings tears to my eyes. It was recorded the year that he died.

Our kids turned us on to the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic series. I think one of the songs performed by Twilight Sparkle says a lot about how I've felt over the course of my life. Well, except for the whole princess bit. I've never felt like a princess.


There is no such thing as a life without sorrow and grief. It touches all of our lives, to some degree, at some point.

We need to get over this whole “be over it in two weeks” mindset. It takes longer than two weeks for a broken leg to heal, so why shouldn’t a broken heart take longer? If you have lost someone you love, and you truly loved them, you will be living with this loss for the rest of your life. Being expected to be over it in two weeks is a bunch of hooey.

Our daughter Maggie has a new blog for her furbaby Martha. You can find it at: Martha’s Daily Mews.

Have a blessed weekend, y’all!

Image Source: Pixabay
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Book Review: Fear Not: Two Weeks of Living Boldly into God’s Authentic Confidence by John Kaites

Fear Not: Two Weeks of Living Boldly into God’s Authentic Confidence by John Kaites  

Fear Not: Two Weeks of Living Boldly into God’s Authentic Confidence by John Kaites is a devotion guide to help us claim the fearless life that Heavenly Father intends for each of us.

The author does not imply that our life of fearlessness will happen overnight, or even over the course of two weeks. Instead, he offers a guide to get us on our way to the confident life that we want to live, boldly having faith in Heavenly Father, knowing there is no need to fear because He has it all covered.

Each daily devotion is short and thought-provoking. There are suggestions of things we can do to help us claim freedom from fear, as well as a prayer at the end of each devotion. There is also a section that has all of the prayers together at the end of the book.

If you need help to claim the fearless life that our Heavenly Father intends for you, Fear Not is a good guide.

We give this book five stars.

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
 
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Guest Post: Tips for Pets with Fireworks Anxiety

 

Tips for Pets with Fireworks Anxiety 

 

AUSTIN—While pets may enjoy a few table scraps from Fourth of July picnics, backyard parties and barbecues, some show signs of anxiety during the holiday’s main event. Pets who experience fireworks anxiety not only suffer from the mental effects of anxiety but also are at risk of running away, destructive behavior and even injuring themselves. To help pets cope with anxiety and ensure the celebratory night goes smoothly for everyone, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) is sharing a variety of treatment options with pet owners.

One treatment approach, which often resolves the symptoms quickly, is veterinary-recommended medication. Commercially available pheromone products often are effective as well. Adaptil, a synthetic analogue of a calming pheromone for dogs, can help calm dogs in a variety of situations, and it comes in various forms including diffusers, collars and sprays.

Pressure wraps like the Thundershirt or Anxiety Wrap and supplements, such as l-theanine, may help some pets. L-theanine has shown to be beneficial for pets with sensitivities to noises like thunderstorms. Veterinarians can determine whether supplements are appropriate for your pet.

It’s also important to provide safe spots for pets during fireworks and ensure they have free access to these areas. Some pets seek spaces like closets or quiet, small rooms. An interior, first-floor room or closet may be more insulated to the sounds and light flashes of fireworks. Some owners find a white noise machine beneficial to block subtle to moderate sounds, and others report that playing classical music calms their pets. These and other treatment approaches apply to cats as well, who can also suffer from firework anxiety.

Finally, modifying a pet’s behavior through training can change the way it responds to the sound of fireworks. While behavior modification programs for firework anxiety are not always easy to implement on one’s own, many qualified trainers and behavior consultants can help tailor a protocol specifically for each pet. For information on behavioral consultants, visit these websites: www.dacvb.org, www.avsabonline.org, www.ccpdt.org and www.corecaab.org.

“Planning ahead can greatly reduce your pet’s anxiety during fireworks,” said TVMA member Amanda Florsheim, DVM, CBCC-KA, who owns Veterinary Behavior Solutions in Dallas. “Our goals in treating firework anxiety are not only to reduce anxiety but also to provide an appropriate environment during fireworks and to modify your pet’s behavior through training.”  

About the Texas Veterinary Medical Association

Founded in 1903, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association is a professional association composed of more than 3,700 veterinarians committed to protecting public health, promoting high educational, ethical and moral standards within the veterinary profession and educating the public about animal health and its relationship to human health. For more information, call 512/452-4224 or visit www.tvma.org.



Image Source: Pixabay  

Notice: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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Book Review: Three of Cups by Kathy Wilson Florence

Three of Cups by Kathy Wilson Florence

I was a bit concerned about reading this book due to the use of tarot cards early on in it, but I am glad that I gave it a chance. It is a great book!

Three of Cups is the story of the lives of three women of two different generations. There is love, family, war, deceit, and tragedy. There is laughter and there are tears.

I (Suzanne) couldn’t put this book down. It had my mind going on hyper mode trying to put it all together, making connections between this person, this situation, and that one. It kept me wondering how the author would pull it all together for resolution at the end, and would it have a happy ending or would lives be ripped apart.

Kathy Wilson Florence is a great storyteller who weaves us in and out of the timelines and lives of the three main characters and support people along the way.

There is minimal use of profanity (and none of the major profane words) and there are no graphic intimate scenes. I give Three of Cups 5 stars and think that you will find it hard to put down, too!

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Three of Cups
By Kathy Wilson Florence
Available 1 July 2018 on Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-0998678122


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Success & Purpose

Like many others out there, I am searching for my purpose. I know that we are sent here to earth to worship, praise, and eventually return to Heavenly Father.  We are to love and be kind to others.  We are to help lead others to Him.

What I don’t know is what I am meant to do to help our family to prosper in some way. I don’t know the purpose that is meant solely for ME.

One of the email newsletters that I got today started off with a pep talk, saying that I am a success.  It also acknowledged that I may have trouble holding onto that thought and suggested that I ask others the following two questions:

Can you share with me what you see in me?  

  

How have I helped you?

Please answer in the comment section.  Thank you and …

Have a blessed day, y’all!

Notice: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
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